Saying 'Aye'

[CDNSushi]

Steve, while we're at it could you clarify this point for me (& for everyone else)? The "Aye" button was added while I was offline for a period of time, so I might've missed any earlier announcement or details regarding its use, but as with Jock, I too notice that after about 5 "ayes" I cannot see/access that option for another 12 to 24 hours or so.

I'm not Steve, but as a member of the mod team, I can probably help answer a couple of these...

The "aye" button was established as a direct response to a request for a "Like" button, in this thread: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-button-79247/

It was called "Aye" instead of "Like" as it was felt that it would more accurately reflect the rabble and the culture of this site.

The use of the "aye" button is essentially the same as a "Like" or "plus-one" button you might see on a social networking site like Facebook, Google+, etc. If you want to show your agreement with a post without necessarily having to begin a new post of your own, you can show your agreement using "Aye."

The use of the "aye" button was indeed limited, because it really shouldn't be used as a substitute for making meaningful contributions to the community. It's a GOOD thing to encourage members to provide verbal feedback on posts and threads. That's what makes this place as popular as it is... It's the people. A simple "aye" is convenient, and sometimes it's apt to use it... But it's nicer, rather than just saying "I agree" to also point out why you might agree, or add a personal touch of your own to the post.

Anyway, I hope that helps clarify a little more about what it is, where it came from, and the intended usage...

JD

[Steve Ashton]

The 'aye' button should now be available to any member with at least 1 post.



I can also confirm that any member, even new members with less than 10 posts, may put a photo or other image into their posts. They may post a link to their images stored with an off-forum site such as photobucket or may insert an image directly from their computer using the 'insert image' button in the 'post reply' text window.



A small word of caution when using the 'insert image' button and posting an image from your home computer.

The images you see in posts are not actually stored within the database of the forum. With a forum this large it would require the storage of a huge amount of data. It would also make the forum run very slow.

What you are actually doing when you post an image, is posting a link to where ever the image is stored. Every time a page refreshes or someone looks at a post containing an image our software accesses the image and displays it for you.

It is unlikely, but possible, that some hacker could use this link to your home computer to access and gain control of your computer without your knowledge.

This would be similar to what is happening in India right now. India has become the world's larges source for spam. There are sites out there such as those that appear to offer free smiley faces to dress up your posts and instant messages. What these sites actually do is take over your computer and send electronic junk mail to everyone in your email address book.

So please be cautious. It may be a bit more work to upload your photos to somewhere like photobucket. But it is probably safer and wiser to do so.

[Elizabeth]

A small word of caution when using the 'insert image' button and posting an image from your home computer.

The images you see in posts are not actually stored within the database of the forum. With a forum this large it would require the storage of a huge amount of data. It would also make the forum run very slow.

What you are actually doing when you post an image, is posting a link to where ever the image is stored. Every time a page refreshes or someone looks at a post containing an image our software accesses the image and displays it for you.

Are you saying that the forum accesses my computer to show the pictures in my posts that I have uploaded? I didn't think that was possible. Since the posting process seems to upload the photo... what happens? Where does that photo reside after uploading? I am very confused by this.

[BoldHighlander]

Anyway, I hope that helps clarify a little more about what it is, where it came from, and the intended usage...

It does, thanks!